Table of Contents
Of Studies
FRANCIS BACON (1625)
Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for delight is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business. For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars, one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned. To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar. They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience: for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning, by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.
Padhai ka faida maze/khushi, zeenat/shobha (khubsurti), aur hunar/kausha ke liye hota hai. Maze/khushi k liye ais ka faida akelay mein aur aaram ke waqt hota hai; zeenat/shobha k liye ais ka faida baat cheet mein; aur hunar/kaushal ka faida kaam samajhne aur karne mein hota hai. Jo log kaam karne mein expert hote hain, wo chhoti chhoti cheezon ko samajh lete hain, lekin bade mashware/salaah aur plan banane wale log zyada padhe likhe hote hain. Agar koi bohot zyada waqt padhai mein lagaye, to wo sust (lazy) ho jata hai; agar wo padhai ka sirf dikhawa kare, to wo banawati lagta hai; aur agar koi sirf kitaabon ke rules ke mutabiq faislay kare, to wo bas ek scholar hi ban sakta hai. Padhai se fitrat/ svabhaav behtar hoti hai, aur tajurba/anubhav se padhai behtar hoti hai. Fitri/svaabhaavik salahiyatain/kshamata aise hi hoti hain jaise ped, jinhein padhai se tarashna padta hai; aur parhai bhi bohat zyada raasta dikhati hai jab tak ke tajurba/anubhav usay mehdood/simit na kare.
Crafty men condemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them, and above them, won by observation. Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books, else distilled books are like common distilled waters, flashy things.
Chalak log padhai ko bura kehte hain, saadah log uski pasand karte hain, aur aqalmand log uska sahi istemal karte hain; kyun ke padhai apna istemal khud nahi sikhati, balki wo aqal/buddhi jo padhai se bhi upar hoti hai, wo dekhne se milti hai. Kitaabain sirf isliye mat padho ke mukhalfat/virodh karo ya aib/kharaabi nikaalo; na hi isliye ke har baat maan lo; aur na hi bas baat cheet ke liye maloomat/jaanakaaree ikattha karne ke liye. Kitaabein isliye padho ke socho aur samjho. Kuch kitaabein bas zara si padni hoti hain, kuch ko bas upar upar se, aur kuch ko gehraai se aur dhyan se padna chahiye. Kuch kitaabein doosron se khulasa/saaraansh karwa kar bhi parhi ja sakti hain, lekin sirf wo jo kam ahmiyat/mahattv ki hoti hain. Warna aise khulase/saaraansh waise hi hote hain jaise aam distilled paani — bekaar.
Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man. And therefore, if a man write little, he had need have a great memory; if he confer little, he had need have a present wit: and if he read little, he had need have much cunning, to seem to know that he doth not. Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtle; natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend. Abeunt studia in mores [Studies pass into and influence manners]. Nay, there is no stone or impediment in the wit but may be wrought out by fit studies; like as diseases of the body may have appropriate exercises. Bowling is good for the stone and reins; shooting for the lungs and breast; gentle walking for the stomach; riding for the head; and the like. Bowling is good for the stone and reins; shooting for the lungs and breast; gentle walking for the stomach; riding for the head; and the like.
Padhai aadmi ko mukammal/poora banati hai; baat cheet usko hooshiyar banati hai; aur likhai usko bilkul sahi banati hai. Isi liye, agar koi likhta kam hai, to usko apni yaad daasht achi rakhni chahiye; agar kam baat cheet karta hai, to usko tez soch rakhni chahiye; aur agar kam padta hai, to usko zyada chalak hona chahiye, taake wo wo-sab kuch jaanne wala lage jo wo nahi janta. Tareekh/aitihaasik ki kitaabein insaan ko aqalmand/buddhimaan banati hain; shaair/kavi insaan ko hazir jawab banate hain; ganit/hisaab insaan ko tej banata hai; natural philosophy insan k soch aur samaj mai gehra lati hai; akhlaqi-dars/naitik-shiksha buri baaton se rokti hai; aur logic aur rhetoric behtar behas karna sikhati hain. Padhai aadat mein dal/ghuss jaati hai aur ikhlaqiyat/vyavhaar ko asar andaz karti hai ya daalti hai. Yakeenan, koi bhi rukawat ya dikkat buddhi/aqal mein nahi hai jo padhai se door nahi ki ja sakti; jaise jism/sharir ki bimariyon ke liye kuch khaas exercise/vyayam hoti hain. Bowling gurday aur pathari ke liye acha hai; teer andazi phayphoron aur seenay ke liye; Aista aista chalna pet ke liye; ghud-sawari sawari sir ke liye, aur isi tarah ke kaamon ke liye.
So if a man’s wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics; for in demonstrations, if his wit be called away never so little, he must begin again. If his wit be not apt to distinguish or find differences, let him study the Schoolmen; for they are cymini sectores [splitters of hairs]. If he be not apt to beat over matters, and to call up one thing to prove and illustrate another, let him study the lawyers” cases. So every defect of the mind may have a special receipt.
Agar kisi ka zehan/dimaag idhar udhar bhatakta hai, to wo mathematics padhe, kyun ke wahan zara sa bhi dhyan hata to fir se shuru karna padta hai. Agar kisi ka zehan/dimaag tafreeq/antar karna nahi janta, to wo Schoolmen padhe, jo chhoti chhoti baatein tafreeq/antar karte hain. Agar usay baatein samajhne ya ek baat se doosri baat ko sabit karne ka hunar nahi hai, to usay vakilon ke case padna chahiye. Har zehan/dimaag ki kami ka apna ek khash ilaaj hota hai.
Moral of the Story
The main lesson is about the balanced use of knowledge. Bacon suggests that while studying is valuable for gaining knowledge, enjoyment, and personal growth, it’s most effective when combined with practical experience and applied thoughtfully. He advises against over-studying, studying just to show off, or relying strictly on book knowledge without practical wisdom. Instead, he encourages readers to use studies as a tool for developing their minds, sharpening their skills, and improving their understanding of the world.
Iska asal/asalee sabaq/paath yeh hai ke ilm/gyaan ka istemaal balance ke saath hona chahiye. Bacon kehte hain ke padhai qeemti hai — yeh ilm/gyaan, khushi, aur personal growth deti hai, lekin yeh tabhi behtareen hoti hai jab isay practical tajurbe/anubhav ke saath mila kar istemaal kiya jaye. Wo kehte hain ke zyada padhai karna ya sirf dikhawa karne ke liye padhna ya bas kitaabon ka ilm/gyaan le kar, soch samajh ke bagair use karna bekaar hai. Wo kehte hain ke padhai ko aise istemaal karo ke yeh tumhari soch ko behtar banaye, skills ko sharp kare, aur duniya ka samajh behtar kare.
Summary
This text talks about why people study and how it helps in life. According to the author, studying serves three main purposes: it brings happiness, adds to one’s personality, and builds skills.
1. Happiness and Enjoyment: Reading and learning can bring joy, especially in private and peaceful moments. It’s something people do for their own enjoyment.
2. Personal Presentation: Studies can make a person look better in conversations by helping them speak well and share ideas thoughtfully. This is why knowledge can also be seen as an “ornament.”
3. Improving Skills for Decision-Making: Learning helps a person make better judgments and organize their work. While skilled people can handle specific tasks, people with more education can make bigger decisions and plan better because they understand things deeply.
However, the author warns that too much time spent only on studying is not productive. Studying only to show off or appear knowledgeable is also unwise. Making decisions purely by study rules without thinking practically can make someone too rigid.
The Value of Real-Life Experience: Experience is crucial because while studies make a person smarter, real-life experiences refine and improve that learning. The author compares natural abilities to plants that grow better with care and attention, and studies to tools that need experience to be truly useful.
Different Attitudes Towards Studies: People have different views about studying. Clever but tricky people criticize studies, simple people admire them, and wise people use their knowledge practically. True wisdom, according to the author, goes beyond what books teach; it’s gained from watching and observing the world.
How to Read Books: Not all books should be read in the same way. Some are just worth sampling, some are worth reading lightly, and a few should be read carefully. Some books can even be read by others for us, but only for less important topics. Distilled knowledge from these kinds of books can be shallow, like water without real taste.
Skills from Reading, Discussion, and Writing: Reading makes a person knowledgeable, talking with others makes them quick to respond, and writing improves precision and clarity. Each skill needs practice. If someone reads, talks, or writes less, they need other qualities to make up for it, like a sharp memory or wit.
Different Subjects and Their Benefits: Different subjects develop different qualities:
– History teaches wisdom
– Poetry sharpens wit
– Mathematics trains precision
– Science deepens understanding
– Morals encourage seriousness
– Logic and rhetoric help in argumentation
Fixing Weaknesses with Studies: Just as different exercises help different parts of the body, different types of study can fix weaknesses in the mind. For instance, math can help a wandering mind focus, philosophy can help a mind that struggles to tell differences, and legal cases can help in linking ideas together.
In short, studies benefit us in many ways, but they should be balanced with experience and practical wisdom. The right kind of study and real-life application can develop and fix any weakness in the mind.
Detail Vocabulary
| English Word/Phrase | Urdu Meaning | Hindi Meaning | Bengali Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studies | مطالعہ/تعلیم | अध्ययन | অধ্যয়ন |
| Serve | کام آنا | काम आना | কাজ করা |
| Delight | خوشی، لطف | आनंद, खुशी | আনন্দ, সুখ |
| Ornament | زیور، زینت | आभूषण, शोभा | গয়না, শোভা |
| Ability | صلاحیت، قابلیت | क्षमता, योग्यता | দক্ষতা, যোগ্যতা |
| Chief Use | بنیادی استعمال | मुख्य उपयोग | প্রধান ব্যবহার |
| Privateness | تنہائی، علیحدگی | निजता, एकांत | গোপনীয়তা, একাকিত্ব |
| Retiring | سکونت، پیچھے ہٹنا | निवृत्ति, आराम | অবসর, আরাম |
| Discourse | گفتگو، مکالمہ | संवाद, बातचीत | আলোচন, কথোপকথন |
| Judgment | فیصلہ، رائے | निर्णय, निर्णय-क्षमता | বিচার, সিদ্ধান্ত |
| Disposition | بندوبست، مزاج | व्यवस्था, स्वभाव | বিন্যাস, মেজাজ |
| Business | کاروبار، کام | व्यापार, काम | ব্যবসা, কাজ |
| Expert Men | ماہر افراد | विशेषज्ञ व्यक्ति | বিশেষজ্ঞ ব্যক্তিবর্গ |
| Execute | عملدرآمد کرنا | क्रियान्वित करना | কার্যকর করা |
| Judge of Particulars | تفصیلات پر فیصلہ کرنا | विशिष्टताओं का निर्णय करना | বিশেষ বিবরণে বিচার করা |
| General Counsels | عمومی مشورے | सामान्य परामर्श | সাধারণ পরামর্শ |
| Plots | منصوبے | योजनाएं | পরিকল্পনা |
| Marshalling of Affairs | کاموں کا ترتیب دینا | मामलों का संयोजन | বিষয়সমূহের সংগঠন |
| Those that are Learned | پڑھے لکھے لوگ | शिक्षित लोग | শিক্ষিত ব্যক্তিবর্গ |
| Sloth | سستی، کاہلی | आलस्य, सुस्ती | আলস্য, কুস্তি |
| Affectation | دکھاوا، بناوٹ | बनावटीपन, दिखावा | ভান, ছল |
| Humor of a Scholar | عالم/عالمانہ مزاج | विद्वान का स्वभाव | পণ্ডিতের স্বভাব |
| Perfect Nature | فطرت کو بہتر بنانا | प्रकृति को परिपूर्ण बनाना | প্রকৃতিকে পরিপূর্ণ করা |
| Perfected by Experience | تجربے سے بہتر بنائی جاتی ہے | अनुभव द्वारा परिपूर्ण किया जाता है | অভিজ্ঞতা দ্বারা উন্নত |
| Natural Abilities | فطری صلاحیتیں | प्राकृतिक क्षमताएं | প্রাকৃতিক দক্ষতা |
| Natural Plants | قدرتی پودے | प्राकृतिक पौधे | প্রাকৃতিক গাছপালা |
| Pruning | تراش خراش | छंटाई | ছাঁটাই |
| Give Forth Directions | ہدایات فراہم کرنا | दिशाएं देना | নির্দেশনা প্রদান |
| At Large | وسیع پیمانے پر | विस्तृत रूप से | বিস্তৃত ভাবে |
| Bounded by Experience | تجربے سے محدود | अनुभव द्वारा सीमित | অভিজ্ঞতা দ্বারা সীমিত |
| Crafty Men | چالاک لوگ | चालाक लोग | চতুর মানুষ |
| Condemn | مذمت کرنا، ناپسند کرنا | निंदा करना, नापसंद करना | নিন্দা করা, অপছন্দ করা |
| Simple Men | سیدھے لوگ | सीधे-सादे लोग | সাধারণ মানুষ |
| Admire | تعریف کرنا، سراہنا | प्रशंसा करना | প্রশংসা করা |
| Wise Men | عقلمند لوگ | समझदार लोग | জ্ঞানী মানুষ |
| Use | استعمال کرنا | उपयोग करना | ব্যবহার করা |
| Teach Not | نہیں سکھاتی | नहीं सिखाती | শেখায় না |
| Wisdom | حکمت، دانائی | ज्ञान, बुद्धिमानी | জ্ঞান, বুদ্ধিমত্তা |
| Observation | مشاہدہ | अवलोकन | পর্যবেক্ষণ |
| Contradict | تردید کرنا، مخالفت کرنا | विरोध करना, खंडन करना | বিরোধ করা, খণ্ডন করা |
| Confute | غلط ثابت کرنا | गलत साबित करना | ভুল প্রমাণ করা |
| Believe | یقین کرنا | विश्वास करना | বিশ্বাস করা |
| Granted | تسلیم کرنا، مان لینا | मान लेना, स्वीकार करना | গ্রহণ করা |
| Talk | بات چیت | बातचीत | আলোচনা |
| Discourse | مکالمہ، گفتگو | संवाद, चर्चा | কথোপকথন, আলোচনা |
| Weigh | تولنا، پرکھنا | तौलना, विचार करना | পরিমাপ করা, বিবেচনা করা |
| Consider | غور و فکر کرنا | विचार करना | বিবেচনা করা |
| Books | کتابیں | किताबें | বই |
| Tasted | چکھنا، سرسری طور پر پڑھنا | चखना, थोड़ा पढ़ना | স্বাদ নেওয়া, অল্প পড়া |
| Swallowed | نگلنا، ایک دفعہ پڑھنا | निगलना, एक बार पढ़ना | গিলতে, একবার পড়া |
| Chewed and Digested | چبانا اور ہضم کرنا | चबाना और पचाना | চিবিয়ে হজম করা |
| Curiously | تجسس سے، بہت دھیان سے | जिज्ञासा से, बहुत ध्यान से | কৌতূহল সহকারে, খুব মনোযোগ দিয়ে |
| Diligence | محنت، لگن | परिश्रम, लगन | অধ্যবসায়, পরিশ্রম |
| Attention | توجہ | ध्यान | মনোযোগ |
| Deputy | نمائندہ، نائب | प्रतिनिधि, उप प्रतिनिधि | প্রতিনিধি, ডেপুটি |
| Extracts | اقتباسات، خلاصے | अंश, सार | সংক্ষিপ্ত অংশ, নির্যাস |
| Less Important Arguments | کم اہمیت والے دلائل | कम महत्त्व वाले तर्क | কম গুরুত্বপূর্ণ যুক্তি |
| Meaner Sort of Books | ادنیٰ درجے کی کتابیں | साधारण किताबें | নিম্নমানের বই |
| Distilled Books | نکالی گئی کتابیں | निचोड़ी हुई किताबें | নিঃসৃত বই |
| Distilled Waters | صاف کیے ہوئے پانی | आसुत पानी | বিশুদ্ধ পানি |
| Flashy Things | چمکدار، بے مقصد چیزیں | चमकीली, साधारण चीजें | চকচকে, সস্তা বস্তু |
| Reading | پڑھنا | पढ़ना | পড়া |
| Maketh a Full Man | مکمل انسان بناتا ہے | एक संपूर्ण व्यक्ति बनाता है | পূর্ণাঙ্গ মানুষ তৈরি করে |
| Conference | گفتگو، مشاورت | चर्चा, परामर्श | আলোচনা, পরামর্শ |
| Ready Man | تیار شخص | तैयार व्यक्ति | প্রস্তুত মানুষ |
| Writing | لکھائی | लेखन | লেখালেখি |
| Exact Man | درست انسان | सही व्यक्ति | সঠিক মানুষ |
| Great Memory | زبردست یاداشت | शानदार स्मृति | চমৎকার স্মৃতি |
| Present Wit | حاضر دماغی | तेज दिमाग | উপস্থিত বুদ্ধি |
| Cunning | چالاکی | चतुराई | কৌশল |
| Seem to Know | جاننے کا تاثر دینا | जानने का आभास देना | জানার ভান করা |
| Histories | تاریخیں | इतिहास | ইতিহাস |
| Make Men Wise | لوگوں کو عقل مند بناتی ہیں | लोगों को समझदार बनाती हैं | মানুষকে জ্ঞানী করে |
| Poets | شاعر | कवि | কবি |
| Witty | حاضر جواب، بذلہ سنج | हाजिरजवाब, बुद्धिमान | বুদ্ধিদীপ্ত |
| Mathematics | ریاضی | गणित | গণিত |
| Subtle | باریک بین | सूक्ष्म | সূক্ষ্ম |
| Natural Philosophy | فطری فلسفہ | प्राकृतिक दर्शन | প্রাকৃতিক দর্শন |
| Deep | گہرا، سنجیدہ | गहरा, गंभीर | গভীর, গুরুগম্ভীর |
| Moral | اخلاقی | नैतिक | নৈতিক |
| Grave | سنجیدہ، عمیق | गंभीर | গুরুতর |
| Logic | منطق | तर्कशास्त्र | যুক্তি |
| Rhetoric | خطابت | वाक्पटुता | বাকপটুতা |
| Able to Contend | بحث کرنے کے قابل | बहस करने में सक्षम | তর্ক করতে সক্ষম |
| Abeunt studia in mores | مطالعہ عادتوں میں ڈھل جاتا ہے | अध्ययन व्यवहार में बदल जाते हैं | অধ্যয়ন আচরণকে প্রভাবিত করে |
| No Stone or Impediment | کوئی رکاوٹ نہیں | कोई बाधा नहीं | কোনও প্রতিবন্ধকতা নেই |
| Wit | عقل، حاضر دماغی | बुद्धि, हाजिर जवाब | বুদ্ধি |
| Fit Studies | مناسب مطالعہ | उचित अध्ययन | উপযুক্ত অধ্যয়ন |
| Diseases of the Body | جسمانی بیماریاں | शरीर की बीमारियाँ | শরীরের রোগ |
| Appropriate Exercises | مناسب ورزشیں | उचित व्यायाम | উপযুক্ত ব্যায়াম |
| Bowling | گیند بازی | गेंदबाजी | বল খেলা |
| Stone and Reins | پتھری اور گردے | पथरी और गुर्दे | পাথর ও বৃক্ক |
| Shooting | تیر اندازی، نشانہ بازی | तीरंदाजी, शूटिंग | তীরন্দাজি, শুটিং |
| Lungs and Breast | پھیپھڑے اور سینہ | फेफड़े और सीना | ফুসফুস ও বুক |
| Gentle Walking | ہلکی چہل قدمی | हल्की सैर | হালকা হাঁটা |
| Stomach | معدہ | पेट | পেট |
| Riding | سواری | सवारी | সওয়ারি |
| Head | سر | सिर | মাথা |
| Wit Be Wandering | عقل کا بھٹکنا | बुद्धि का भटकना | বুদ্ধির বিচরণ |
| Demonstrations | مظاہرے، نمونے دکھانا | प्रदर्शन, उदाहरण देना | প্রদর্শন, নমুনা |
| Called Away | ہٹ جانا | ध्यान हटना | মনোযোগ হারানো |
| Distinguish | فرق کرنا | अंतर करना | পার্থক্য করা |
| Find Differences | فرق معلوم کرنا | भिन्नता ढूंढना | পার্থক্য খুঁজে বের করা |
| Schoolmen | دینی/روایتی تعلیم دینے والے | धार्मिक/शास्त्रीय विद्वान | ধর্মীয়/ঐতিহ্যিক পণ্ডিত |
| Cymini Sectores | باریکی پر زور دینے والے | बाल की खाल निकालने वाले | সূক্ষ্ম পার্থক্যকারীদের অর্থ |
| Beat Over Matters | معاملات پر نظر ثانی | मामलों पर विचार करना | বিষয়গুলির পুনর্মূল্যায়ন |
| Illustrate Another | دوسرے کو وضاحت کے لیے استعمال کرنا | दूसरों को समझाने के लिए उदाहरण देना | অন্যকে বোঝানোর জন্য উদাহরণ |
| Lawyers' Cases | وکیلوں کے مقدمات | वकीलों के मामले | আইনজীবীদের মামলা |
| Defect of the Mind | ذہنی کمزوری | मानसिक कमजोरी | মানসিক দুর্বলতা |
| Special Receipt | خاص علاج | विशेष उपचार | বিশেষ চিকিৎসা |
FAQ
The phrase “cymini sectores” refers to people who focus on very tiny or minor details, often unnecessarily. It’s like splitting hairs, meaning they concentrate on small differences or distinctions that may not be important in the big picture.
“Studies serve for Ability” means that studying helps people improve their skills and abilities. Learning gives people the power to make good decisions, understand complex things, and do different tasks better because of the knowledge they gain.
The essay Of Studies is written in a direct, clear, and thoughtful style. Francis Bacon uses short and sharp sentences to share his ideas, making the essay easy to read and understand. Bacon uses a practical approach, giving both the benefits and possible downsides of studying. For example, he explains how studies bring joy, improve conversation, and enhance skills. At the same time, he warns against spending too much time on study or studying just to show off. Bacon’s style includes examples and metaphors, like comparing abilities to plants that need care. This helps readers picture what he’s saying and see why balanced studying is important. Overall, Bacon’s style is simple yet wise, using examples that are relevant to everyday life.
Bacon believes that studies have three main uses: for enjoyment, for improving personality, and for building skills. First, studies bring happiness and relaxation, especially when a person reads alone. Secondly, studies add to a person’s personality by helping them speak well and look knowledgeable. This makes them better in conversations. Lastly, studies make people more capable by improving their decision-making and planning skills. Bacon says that learning and experience together make people well-rounded. However, he also warns against studying too much, using knowledge just for show, or relying only on study rules without thinking. Instead, he encourages people to use studies wisely to grow stronger in their lives.